The Hunt for Sviederbach

Disclaimer: I do not own Shake it Up

A/N:

Chapter 6 (Just One of the Guys)

The next day, Estelle took Aveline over to Ander's apartment after his classes were over, which was in the late afternoon. She'd already gotten the basic layout of the apartment memorized. There were two halls on either end of the apartment with three doors, two on the sides and one in the middle, so the hall was shaped almost like a plus sign. The hall that faced the apartment door held Ander's and Art's room. Ander's door was in the middle, facing the apartment door. The bathroom was on the right, and Art's room was on the left. Outside the hall was basically one giant square space, with the couch propped up against a flat wall. The wall turned at a corner and held a doorway that faced sideways, to the immediate left of the apartment door. Through there was the second hallway, with Martin's bedroom on the left, Odo's bedroom on the right, and the bathroom right next door.

To the right of the apartment's entrance was a long L-shaped counter, framing the kitchen. On the other side of the counter was another counter, with cabinets above it. A washer and drier were on the other side of the refrigerator, which was on the end of the counter against the wall. There was no wall separating the kitchen from the living area, and straight across from the grey couch was a flat screen television.

When she arrived, Ander and Art were sitting on the couch with some hot dogs and watching a wrestling match on the television. Odo was at the kitchen counter, grilling both hotdogs and hamburgers. Art looked up from the couch and lifted his hand. "Yo Ander, your lady's here." Ander quickly rose from the couch and rounded the corner to greet Aveline.

"Hey Ave, Odo can cook! Do you want a hotdog or a hamburger?" She looked over to Odo with a polite smile as the man held up metal tongs. Her stomach rumbled and her nose delighted in the scent of spiced hamburger patties.

"I could go for a hamburger, I suppose." Immediately Odo went to work on preparing a hamburger for her. When asked if she wanted any onions, she declined. Ander hugged her close and let her know he missed her. "Well it's only been a day. I see you're making friends with the roommates?"

"You bet, although Martin doesn't come out much." She frowned and looked to the hallway where Martin's room was. "Mala's been hanging around a lot, seems like he doesn't really want her to leave. Hell, even now she's with him in his room, studying the material given in today's classes. I swear those two need some space once in a while…"

"I guess we may as well not disturb them." She heard Art clear his throat, then Ander quickly turned towards the television as Art's head poked around the corner wall.

"You're missing the fight, come on! Love these things." She raised an eyebrow and followed Ander over to the couch. Ander sat on the middle cushion and she sat down to his left, then put her head down on his shoulder. She didn't mind watching the fights, and wasn't about to ask them to change the channel. After all, she'd come into their home, she didn't want to be rude. "I get a lot of my boxing moves from here, helps in my classes."

"Personal trainer, right Art? Do you take Martial Arts?"

"Krav Maga. It was a mix between that and Judo, but I decided to go for that." Art folded his arms over and looked back towards the front. "I have to say, Martin and his girlfriend spent a great deal of fighting yesterday, it was irritating as hell. Don't even know what the crap they were fighting about, she got Martin all ticked off. Can't respect a man that yells at his lady."

"We had to convince Martin to let her go to her place last night," Ander remarked. A sharp pain struck her chest as she looked over her shoulder at the wall, as though trying to look through it. She was curious whether or not it would do her any good to talk to Mala or not. She at least wanted to see if there was any use to talk to Martin, but then, it wasn't right to meddle. "I don't know what they're doing in there, but I wouldn't worry too much…" He put his arm around her shoulders. Deciding he was right, she shrugged and moved her head to his. Her stomach rumbled once more, and her eyes drifted over to the hamburger that Odo was making. The delicate aroma tantalized her, and the appearance was enough to make her drool.

She probably stared at that hamburger for a full minute before Odo picked up the plate and made his way over. With each step, the longing inside her heart increased. Ander teased her a bit, but she ignored him, reaching up for the brilliant sandwich. Odo couldn't even hand the plate to her before she swiped it from him. The men watched with laughing eyes as she began to shove the food into her mouth.

"What?" She took a pause and started to swallow the meat, not wanting to talk with her mouth full. "So maybe I'm not the cleanest person around, I'm hungry. I have a right to eat like a pig." Ander laughed and kissed her head while Art merely bowed and attempted to hold back a snicker.

"First I heard a princess say that." She narrowed her eyes at him and huffed. Her stomach begged for another bite, and she happily obliged, inhaling the burger. Odo raised an eyebrow and folded his arms over.

"Would you like another?"

"Yes please!" Ander smacked his forehead and her glare snapped into his direction. "You try being hungry all the time. Sneaking around works up an appetite, you know!" Odo removed the plate and started back towards the kitchen. Aveline crossed her arms as both Ander and Art continued to laugh. "Oh come on, you act like you've never seen a girl down a hamburger before."

Before she could say anything, harsh words erupted from the hallway behind them. Everyone stopped and Art looked back with a grown. Something slammed against the wall, then the door slammed shut. The trio rose to their feet as Martin stormed out of the apartment, shouting something about going for a walk. First to move was Art, Aveline followed after him into Martin's bedroom. Her heart stopped when she saw Mala beside the bed, slowly standing up. The girl looked to them with wide eyes.

"Hey Art-I um, I was looking for something." Art walked over and started to help her to her feet. Aveline's heart grew heavier as they led Mala out of the bedroom. What was the fighting all about? Was she really looking for something? She still wasn't even sure if she could truly trust these two, or at least, could she even trust Martin? "Sorry about Martin, he's been having a bad day."

"He seems to be having a lot of bad days," Art replied. He faced her and started studying her face. Aveline raised her eyebrows as Ander stepped beside her, watching carefully. "What happened?" Art reached up and started to touch the tip of Mala's head. The girl flinched and he withdrew his hand as she quickly cleared her throat.

"Nothing to worry about, I hit the bed coming up. Can I have a hot dog?"

"Of course." Art moved around the counter and Aveline moved up beside Mala. The girl looked to her with a tiny smile as Aveline searched for words to say. She hoped Mala wasn't being hurt in any way, but there wasn't any proof of that.

"So, I hear you spend a lot of time here? You must enjoy it here?" She wouldn't think there was much enjoyment for hanging around four guys that might enjoy watching wrestling and sports TV constantly. "Maybe you'd like to hang at my place sometime, I'm sure it'd be more interesting than watching the boys watch wrestling." Mala raised her eyebrows and quickly shook her head.

"I couldn't possibly do that. I don't think it would be intimidating or anything but I don't think it would be a good idea for me to go there." She frowned as Mala turned her attention to the television, grunting slightly. "Besides, I don't think there's anything wrong with the boys watching wrestling. It gives them something to do."

Aveline laughed heartily, she was imagining the four roommates so engrossed in their sports shows. Super bowls would be hell if they were in America. "I bet, it's probably for the best though. Does Martin watch the shows with the guys?" Mala shrugged and leaned against the counter with a heavy sigh.

"It hasn't been that long. He hasn't said anything about being interested in what they're doing…I'm impressed you'd be here, though. That is a shock."

"Well you know, I want to be with Ander, and sometimes it's nice not to be going all over the place. Though Mom wouldn't be too thrilled that I've been sneaking around with him." She relished the thought, chuckling. Mala's face dropped and she turned fully towards the counter, resting her forearms on the top as Art set a hotdog in front of her.

"Thanks Art." Aveline furrowed her brow and tilted her head while the girl studied the food. Her face was blank and her eyes tense. "I wish I knew more about my mom, but…I don't know." Her heart sank and she stepped closer to Mala. It was hard to believe she didn't know her mother, what a painful experience that must have been for her. "I've been with Martin and his family all my life. They said Mom left me…"

"I'm sure she didn't mean to abandon you, Mala." Mala rolled her eyes and slowly closed her hands. Her body began to tremble as she fought back her tears. "Mala?"

"My mom was assaulted…They said I was the product of sexual assault. Soon after, Mom gave me away." Aveline's eyes widened and her heart screeched to a halt. She had no idea what to say. How does one respond to news like that? The poor girl must have a lot of anger, a lot of pain and trauma in her life. "I shouldn't have said that…it's really not any of your business."

"Did you…did you ever find out what happened to her?" Mala's face grew hard and her eyelids slowly sealed over. She lifted her hotdog and took a bite of it. "I shouldn't have asked, I'm sorry for bringing up the subject."

"My mother…" Mala opened her eyes and slowly looked over at her. "Mom was killed many years ago. Her family, I'm not sure where they are, but mom tried-" The door flew open and Martin started walking in, glaring at Mala. Mala jumped up and spun around. "Martin!"

"Shouldn't you be finishing your homework?" Martin asked with a low growl. Aveline narrowed her eyes, her anger fueling her as she stepped in front of Mala.

"She can do whatever she wants to do, Marty. She's your girlfriend, not a child!" Martin shifted his fiery glare to her, but she didn't falter. "I don't take kindly to men treating their girlfriends with disrespect, and if you're going to yell at her, then you've got another thing coming."

"Whatever, Princess." He clenched his fists and looked over to see Art and Ander, both about ready to jump him. He scoffed and pointed a finger to Mala. "You, come on. We need to talk business." Mala stiffened as he started for the bedroom. Aveline turned to her, the girl was seemingly baffled by what just happened. It was as though she'd never had someone stand up for her.

"Sorry Mala, it's just a buildup. You shouldn't let him talk down to you or treat you poorly. You're better than that."

"I don't know if I'd say that…"

"Sure you are, don't put yourself down because you've had a bad upbringing. You'll manage." She smiled at Mala, who acknowledged her with a mere appreciative nod. Mala took a deep breath and closed her eyes as Martin called out for her. Art told her she didn't have to go back there, that he'd talk to Martin if she wanted. "Yeah, I'll do that too if you'd like…" She smirked and folded her arms over. "I have some experience dealing with assholes."

"No it's fine, but thank you Aveline…and Art." She smiled sweetly to the man. Aveline raised her eyebrow and leaned to the side a bit. Mala breathed in slowly and pushed her hands into her jean pockets. "Aveline, do you really think my mother would have bothered with me?"

"Hm? Yeah of course I do. You were her daughter, no matter what." She felt in her heart there were more to the mother's actions than she thought before, it didn't make sense that she would have just abandoned her to a random family. "Maybe she would have tried to find you before she…you know…passed away."

"Yeah, maybe. Thanks anyway…"

Once Mala went off to the room, Ander moved up to Aveline. "Well it looks like you've managed to get through whatever shell she has around her, Ave."

"She seems like she's had a really hard life." She wanted to get to know Mala some more, but didn't think it would be all that possible with Martin around. After giving it a few more moments of thought, the smell of hamburgers stole her away. "Ah don't think I've forgotten about that second hamburger, Odo!"

Ander laughed and took her hand, leading her towards the couch. "Once more, her mind goes to food."

"I am still hungry."

"Of course you are."

So anything surprise you about this chapter? What are your thoughts on Martin and Mala thus far? What do you think of Aveline's love for food? XD.